Caladium plant named &#39;CLOWNING AROUND&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘Clowning Around’, characterized by its intermediate to tall height; upright and mounding plant habit; dense and bushy appearance; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; fancy-type leaves that have dark green-colored margins with greyed red, greyed purple and red-colored centers with random dark green-colored spots and blotches; and leaf petioles that are medium green flushed with greyed red in color with dark greenish brown-colored stippling, streaks and tessellations.

Botanical designation: Caladium X hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘CLOWNING AROUND’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium X hortulanum, commercially referredto as a fancy leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name‘Clowning Around’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2012 in Avon Park, Fla. of Caladium X hortulanum ‘RedFlash’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Twist N' Shout’, not patented, as the male, or pollen,parent. The new Caladium plant was discovered and selected by theInventor as a single plant within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination in a controlled outdoor nursery environment in ZolfoSprings, Fla. in September, 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by “chipping” the tubers(cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing anaxillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2014 has shown that theunique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Clowning Around’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘Clowning Around’ as a newand distinct Caladium plant:

1. Intermediate to tall in height and upright and mounding plant habit;dense and bushy appearance.

2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.

3. Fancy-type leaves that have dark green-colored margins with greyedred, greyed purple and red-colored centers with random darkgreen-colored spots and blotches.

4. Petioles that are medium green flushed with greyed red in color withdark greenish brown-colored stippling, streaks and tessellations.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent, ‘Red Flash’, in the following characteristics:

1. Plants of the new Caladium grow much faster than plants of ‘RedFlash’.

2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Red Flash’ differ in leaf color asleaves of plants of the new Caladium have dark green-colored marginswith greyed red, greyed purple and red-colored centers with random darkgreen-colored spots and blotches whereas leaves of plants of ‘Red Flash’have red-colored venation and interveinal areas with pink andwhite-colored spots and dark green-colored borders.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘Twist N' Shout’, in leaf color as leaves of plants of the newCaladium have dark green-colored margins with greyed red, greyed purpleand red-colored centers with random dark green-colored spots andblotches whereas leaves of plants of ‘Twist N' Shout’ are olive green incolor with green to coppery bronze-colored venation and copperyorange-colored spots and blotches.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Creamsickle’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,991. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Creamsickle’ in leaf color as leaves of plants of thenew Caladium have dark green-colored margins with greyed red, greyedpurple and red-colored centers with random dark green-colored spots andblotches whereas leaves of plants of ‘Creamsickle’ have greyedgreen-colored venation, greyed green and greyed purple-coloredinterveinal areas interspersed with dark green-colored sectors andborders.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Mesmerized’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,545. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Mesmerized’ in leaf color as leaves of plants of the newCaladium have dark green-colored margins with greyed red, greyed purpleand red-colored centers with random dark green-colored spots andblotches whereas leaves of plants of ‘Mesmerized’ are variegated withvariable areas that are dark green, red orange, whitish green and whitein color; with development, mature leaves are mostly dark green in colorwith variable areas of variegation and interveinal areas with variablycoalescing red orange-colored spots and splotches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical plant of ‘Clowning Around’ in a container and grown in ashadehouse (tuber de-eyed).

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a comparison view oftypical plants of ‘Clowning Around’ grown in containers; the plant onthe left has not had its tuber de-eyed and the plant on the right hashad its tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a side perspectiveview of typical plants of ‘Clowning Around’ grown in an open productionfield.

The photograph at the top of the third sheet is a comparison view oftypical potted plants of the female parent, ‘Red Flash’ (right),‘Clowning Around’ (center) and the male parent, ‘Twist N' Shout’ (left).

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet is a comparison view oftypical potted plants of ‘Mesmerized’ (left), ‘Clowning Around’ (center)and ‘Creamsickle’ (right).

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet is a close-up view oftypical freshly-harvested tubers with roots and leaf petioles of‘Clowning Around’.

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet is a close-up view of atypical inflorescence of ‘Clowning Around’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in apolypropylene-covered shadehouse (30% light reduction) in Avon Park,Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions inan outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown undercultural practices typical of commercial shadehouse and outdoor nurseryproduction. During the production of the shadehouse-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 28° C. to 33° C., night temperaturesranged from about 22° C. to 25° C. and light levels were about 8,000foot-candles. During the production of the outdoor nursery-grown plants,day temperatures ranged from about 29° C. to 35° C., night temperaturesranged from about 23° C. to 26° C. and light levels ranged from 10,000to 12,000 foot-candles. Plants grown in the shadehouse were eight weeksold and plants grown in the outdoor nursery were seven months old whenthe photographs and the detailed description were taken. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium X hortulanum ‘Clowning Around’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘Red Flash’,            not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘Twist N'            Shout’, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            temperatures about 32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            temperatures about 24° C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented; individual segments            elliptic and irregular in shape. Height: About 3.7 cm.            Diameter: About 4.8 cm to 7.2 cm. Segment height: About 1.9            cm to 2.5 cm. Segment diameter: About 1.6 cm to 2.2 cm.            Axillary bud size: About 3.5 mm by 5 mm. Texture: Thick,            starchy; somewhat brittle. Color: Epidermis,            freshly-harvested: Close to 155B. Epidermis, dried: Close to            200A. Cortical tissue: Close to 2D. Axillary buds: Close to            38D. Root description: Thick, fleshy contractile roots with            few lateral branches; color, close to N155D. Rooting habit:            Sparse.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape            plant in shaded areas.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Intermediate to tall in height and            upright to mounded plant habit; inverted triangle and wider            than tall; dense and bushy appearance; vigorous growth habit            and rapid growth rate; potted plants finish in saleable form            in about six to seven weeks after planting tubers; leaf            petioles and leaves arise from one or more growing points on            tubers; leaf petioles initially upright and outwardly            leaning with development.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 29 cm to 37 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 35.5 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shadehouse-grown potted            plants.—About 42 cm to 44 cm.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers not de-eyed.—About three to four develop per #1            tuber.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers de-eyed.—About five to six develop per #1 tuber.        -   Cataphylls, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Length: About            6.8 cm. Width: About 1.2 cm. Shape: Narrowly elliptic. Apex:            Acuminate. Base: Sheathing the stem. Color, inner surface:            Close to N155C and 194D faintly tinged with close to 181D;            colors and patterns on the outer surface are visible on the            inner surface. Color, outer surface: Close to 147B to 147C            sparsely streaked and stippled with close to 147B tinged            with 200A; with development, color becoming closer to 199C            and 200C.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; fancy-type.        -   Length, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 16 cm to 22            cm.        -   Width, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 15 cm to 17 cm;            when flattened, about 15.5 cm to 18 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute or cuspidate.        -   Base.—Sagittate, peltate to hastate.        -   Margin.—Entire; undulate with broad undulations.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Rugose, glabrous; dull.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Rugose, glabrous; center            and venation, glaucous; dull sheen.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Developing and fully            developed leaves, upper surface: Background color: Close to            147A. Leaf edge: Close to 187A and 185A. Basal notch: Close            to 187B. Midvein: Close to 53B; areas surrounding midvein,            close to 182A and 50B. Primary veins: Close to 53B to 53C;            areas surrounding primary veins, close to 182A and 50B.            Interveinal areas: Distally, close to 179B, 179C or 179D,            may or not be tinged with 147B; proximally, close to 185A,            184A and 53B to 53C. Random spots and blotches: Close to            147A tinged with 139A. Developing and fully developed            leaves, lower surface: Background color: Close to 189A            tinged with 191A and 191A. Leaf edge: Close to 187A and            185A. Basal notch: Close to 187A. Midvein: Close to 60A and            184B; areas surrounding midvein, close to 184B tinged with            60A. Primary venation: Close to 182C and 184B to 184C; areas            surrounding primary venation, close to 184B tinged with 60A.            Interveinal areas: Close to N170D to N170D. Random spots and            blotches: Close to 191A and 189A tinged with 191A.        -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight and            outwardly leaning with development; flexible. Length,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 16 cm to 27.5 cm.            Diameter, distally, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 4            mm to 6 mm. Diameter, proximally, shadehouse-grown potted            plants: About 7 mm to 9 mm. Texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; slightly glossy; just below leaf junction,            glaucous. Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants, when            developing and fully developed: Close to 147B, 147C and 146C            randomly flushed with 182D and faintly stippled, streaked            and tessellated with close to 147B and 147B tinged with            200A; distally (just below leaf junction), close to 182D and            147C to 147D. Wing length, shadehouse-grown potted plants:            About 4 cm to 7 cm. Wing diameter, shadehouse-grown potted            plants: About 6 mm to 9 mm. Texture and luster, inner and            outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; dull. Wing color,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: Inner surface: Close to 155C            and 194D faintly tinged with 181D; colors and patterns on            the outer surface are visible on the inner surface. Outer            surface: Close to 147B and 147C sparsely stippled and            streaked with 147B tinged with 200A.-   Inflorescence description: Inflorescences observed on eight week-old    shadehouse-grown potted plants.    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on an upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the            proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on            the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop            at junction of female and male flower zones; near this            junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses            the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male            flowers.        -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; jasmine-like with mint and            camphor notes.        -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the            new Caladium typically flower during the spring in central            Florida; flowers develop about eight weeks after growth            commences; inflorescences last about three days before            fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 11.2 cm. Length, distal open            portion: About 6.7 cm. Length, proximal closed portion:            About 4.5 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 5.1 cm.            Depth, distal open portion: About 2.4 cm. Width, at            constriction: About 1.3 cm. Width, proximal closed portion:            About 2.8 cm. Shape, open portion: Elliptic. Apex:            Acuminate. Base: Acute. Margin: Entire; smooth; slightly            recurved. Texture and luster, front surface: Smooth,            glabrous; dull. Texture and luster, rear surface: Smooth,            glabrous; dull; proximally, glaucous. Color, front surface:            Distal open portion: Close to 155C with sparse fine            speckles, close to 187B; with development, color becoming            closer to 199B to 199C. Proximal closed portion: Close to            148C; towards the base, flushed with close to 187A; color            does not change with development. Color, rear surface:            Distal open portion: Close to 145D; towards the margins,            close to 155C; color does not change with development.            Proximal closed portion: Close to 183C with random areas of            147C tinged with 146C, streaked and mottled with close to            147C; color does not change with development.        -   Spadix.—Length, overall: About 8.8 cm. Length, male flower            zone: About 4.9 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 2 cm.            Length, female flower zone: About 1.9 cm. Diameter, male            flower zone: About 9 mm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:            About 5.5 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 8 mm.            Shape: Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Acute. Base: Obtuse.            Aspect: Upright. Color, mature, male zone: Close to 155D            tinged with 150D. Color, mature, sterile zone: Close to            155B. Color, mature, female zone: Close to 158A. Male            flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 105. Shape: Obovate.            Height: About 3.2 mm. Diameter: About 3.8 mm. Pollen amount:            Abundant. Pollen color: Close to 10C. Female flowers:            Quantity per spadix: About 102. Shape: Obovate. Height:            About 2 mm. Diameter: About 2.8 mm. Stigma color: Close to            158A. Ovary color: Close to 159C.        -   Scape.—Length: About 24.3 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm.            Strength: Sturdy; flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture            and luster: Smooth, glabrous; dull; distally, slightly            glaucous. Color: Close to 147B tinged with 146B; faintly            stippled and streaked with close to 200A; distally, close to            147B tinged with 182D.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Pathogen & pest tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to have average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot and above    average tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot. Plants of the new    Caladium have not been observed to have resistance to pests and    other pathogens common to Caladium plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11. In cooler    zones, tubers can be “lifted” prior to first freeze and stored in a    cool dry environment to overwinter for re-planting the following    spring.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘ClowningAround’ as illustrated and described.